2011 APA Convention

Preview of 2011 APA Convention Program

In 2011, APA is heading to our nation's capital for the 119th Annual Convention. Division 38 will offer a program that emphasizes cutting-edge research and evidence-based practice and that reflects the diverse interests and achievements of our membership. The program committee is pleased to offer this preview of the 2011 program. Click here to see the full program.

Highlighting the program are research-focused invited addresses by three accomplished psychologists. In an address relevant to all researchers in our field, Robert Kaplan, Ph.D., the newly appointed Director of the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research at NIH, will present "Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Supported by the National Institutes of Health: Current and Future Priorities." The other two invited addresses will focus on new and exciting directions for behavior change. Colleen McBride, Ph.D., will discuss her work in a talk entitled, "Research Trailblazing: Can Genomics Bring Innovation to Behavior Change Interventions?" and Lee Ritterband, Ph.D., will present his research in a talk entitled, "2011 An eHealth Odyssey - or - The Internet as the Instrument for Behavior Change."

For the past two years, Division 38 has invited speakers to present evidence-based Clinical Health Psychology Grand Rounds. In both Toronto and San Diego, these talks were very well-received, and as such, conference-goers in D.C. will have the opportunity to attend these addresses as well. While planning your attendance this year, don't miss the following invited presentations: "Evidence-Based Practice in Health Psychology: Translating Research into Practice One Patient at a Time," by Barbara Walker, Ph.D., & Charlotte Collins, Ph.D., "Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapies in Primary Care: Turning On, Tuning In, and (not) Dropping Out," by Kate Cavanagh, D.Phil, D.Clin.Psych., and "The Science and Practice of Behavioral Weight Control: Motivating and Facilitating Behavior Change to Promote Weight Loss and Maintenance," by Delia Smith West, Ph.D.

Also included in the program this year are a number of symposia that reflect hot topics and issues of concern in the field of health psychology. Two highly anticipated symposia this year are "Models of Integrated Primary Care: Evolving Roles for Psychologists," chaired by Robert McGrath, Ph.D., and "Racism and Health Disparities: State-of-the-Science and Future Directions," chaired by John Ruiz, Ph.D. Additionally, the recent and unexpected loss of one of health psychology's most well-known researchers prompted the inclusion of a symposium entitled, "Professional and Research Contributions of Dr. Andy Baum to Health Psychology: A Celebration of his Career," chaired by Robert Gatchel, Ph.D.

As in previous years, Division 38 will continue to prioritize programming that is of particular importance to students and early career psychologists. As a follow-up to a popular discussion session at the San Diego convention, Marilyn Stern, Ph.D., will chair a panel of participants who will field questions about training and career paths in a session entitled, "Education and Training in Clinical Health Psychology: Everything You Wanted to Know as a Student, and Hopefully Will Ask." The Division 38 Student Representatives, Kadian Sinclair, M.S., and Luz Garcini, M.A., have also participated in program planning and will co-chair two offerings that target the early-career audience: "Diversifying Health Psychology: How to Promote Diversity Training and Research in Health Psychology," and "Navigating the Funding Maze: Helping Graduate Students, Post-docs, and Early Career Professionals Find and Utilize What's Available." Also highlighted this year are two conversation hours which will interest many Division 38 members. For those considering specialty certification, John Linton, Ph.D., will lead a discussion entitled "The ABPP in Clinical Health Psychology - Tips to Make Board Certification as Painless as Possible." Additionally, if you'd like to know more about Division 38's official APA journal, don't miss "Behind the Scenes at Health Psychology - Conversation Hour with the Editors," chaired by Anne Kazak, Ph.D.

The program committee would like to report that all addresses and symposia have been submitted to APA for continuing education approval. Therefore, we anticipate that many sessions will provide not only new knowledge, but also those much-needed, much-appreciated CE credits. Finally, please plan to set aside business for a while in order to join us for Division 38's social event on Saturday evening - details will be forthcoming.

We look forward to seeing you in D.C.!

Jesse C. Stewart, Ph.D.
2011 Division 38 Program Chair
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Kendra Ray Stewart, Ph.D., HSPP
2011 Division 38 Program Committee
Health Behavior Coordinator
Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center

Misty A. W. Hawkins, M.S.
2011 Division 38 Program Committee
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

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